What Can I Do With An S50 Block?

[SickE30]

One of my buddies in my town had purchased a 95 m3 block for $1200 about a year and a half ago. He changed his mind and is going to do an M50 turbo. Anyway he asked me if I wanted it and gave me a price that I dont think I can walk away from. Would I be able to use an M50 head on that engine? Ported and polished of course. 325i/525i ecu and wiring harness would work, yes/no? I really like the thought of having an s50 under the hood. But would the M50 head take away from the purpose? Opinions please.

[M-technik-3]

Just make it a boat anchor. 8)

[Jon325i]

There are probably numerous options in regards to how you can set up that motor. Personally, I would just build it up to stock specs.....it's probably the most cost-effective option. Even in stock trim, you will have 240HP and over 220 ft/lbs. of torque and the motor won't even be stressed. Unless you have some wild performance ambitions, this would be the route to take. It should be more than sufficient to give your E30 some substantial scoot.

Just my

Jon

[Stu]

You can surely put the 325i head on the '95 bottomend. It will have very stout torque down low with the mild 325 cams. They are 228/228 vs 252/240 for the m3 cams. You will be missing out on a good bit of power up top, but if you plan to drive it on the street, it would make a killer stoplight-to-stoplight motor, especially if you have a gear out back. It would also be great for the auto-x.

Don't expect a high peak HP number, but that's not what you want anyways. You want a strong torque curve. That number is crucial with these engines, on the street, for day to day driving.

[SickE30]

So, it my understanding that the 325i ecu and wiring harness will work. And how about this, if I were to go with M3 cams would that give me close to s50 numbrs with a shit load of torque, right? Piggy back later down the road, and I probably would have a diecent setup 8)